dutoutcatch

Yes

1. Cadets 2000 2. Phantom Regiment 2005 3. Phantom Regiment 2003 4. Carolina Crown 2007 5. Boston Crusaders 2000 6. Phantom Regiment 2007 7. Bluecoats 2006 8. Madison Scouts 2005 9. Cadets 2007 10. Cavaliers 2004

While it's probably a different intent... Yeah, I've said that before. When I'm explaining it to other people, it really depends on who it is and how interested they actually are. Just like the drum corps activity in general. If it's a band kid, then they're more likely to understand as long as you make sure they realize that it's "more intense." If it's someone completely outside of these activities who really doesn't have a clue and isn't that interested, I might say I'm in the colorguard for a drum corps... It's kind of like marching band except harder and all summer, and I spin flag and dance to the music. Anyway, just how I view it. Just thought I'd post because I thought it was funny because I've probably said the words, "I throw a metal pole in the air."

From the Colts website: "Plans are to field 150 members. 2008 goals call for 72 brass, 42 color guard, 34 percussion and 2 drum majors."

While I agree that harming horns is not okay, I do think that retreat has loosened up a bit in recent years. While our corps proper stands at rest or attention when scores are being announced, the colorguard has been able to choose poses every so often. For the past two years we have also been seated at retreat, which shows that we don't take it incredibly seriously. In my corps, we're also allowed to have our cameras as long as we're not being super-distracting. Also - I know of a few Div1 corps who throw candy and have other similar traditions.. It's not something completely new, and definitely not something that is specific to Div 2/3 or younger corps. That being said, I'd be upset too if my corps' horn was dented by a piece of candy too. It's completely understandable and I'm just trying to provide some more perspective..

Some food for thought... I'm pretty sure the Spartans play on G. I think they have a pretty full hornline, and they've got quite a few gold medals and brass awards ... but I'd say not all is wrong for corps with G. Maybe there won't be a "death" of G horns if they become Div1 afterall. Likewise, I doubt that the Spartans would have a last place hornline regardless of what key their horns are in. Just my opinion. And also, on the subject of mixing Bb and G.. Jersey Surf has played with the Bridgemen Alumni corps a lot in the past few years, with Surf on Bb and the Bridgemen on their old G horns. Ends up with a LOT of power and volume.

I've sat in the front of the bus for the past 2 summer. It has been fantastic, especially in '06 when our flag tech drove the guard bus. Soo much fun. Way too much noise in the back of the bus, plus I enjoy rolling off the bus with my sleeping bag and a backpack and being asleep while other kids are just walking into the gym. It's also a huge advantage that the extra seat behind the driver is available, and we also had Staff seats on our buses in Cali this year.. they all emptied out which made changing in and out of uniform easier. Allll about the front of the bus :)

Percussion Independent groups still age out I believe. IW Guards do not though.

Corps still focus on execution - probably more than you're giving them credit.. I doubt any instructor or judge blow off bad catches or drops, as they do affect the colorguard score. Half of the guard points come from achievement, which would include catching well. The other half is content, and the top color guards of today have a lot of that. I'm definitely not arguing that the great color guards of the 70s and 80s didn't execute amazingly well, but add 6 rotations and ballet jumps underneath tosses and things might be a little different. I love watching some of the top guards of today, like Crown and Phantom Regiment, because they are not only solid as far as technique and uniformity is concerned, but also move incredibly well, while constantly performing. IMO, it wouldn't be fair to use the same scoring.. both the scoring and the performances have evolved.

Phantom Cadets Bluecoats Glassmen Cavies Can't wait!

Guard? A lot of guard members don't play instruments or have any musical background yet put their entire summers into this activity. I know members who don't just watch the guard during shows, and have favorite shows based on the musical aspects rather than the CG. I've also shown non-musical friends certain shows, and like someone else already said, the drill today is very impressive and enjoyable to those without a musical background.

According to Surf's website, some new names are found in Vis and Perc staff.

Mix of what I think will happen and what I want to happen: 1. Phantom Regiment 2. Cadets 3. Cavaliers 4. Blue Devils 5. Bluecoats 6. SCV 7. Crown 8. Boston 9. Madison 10. Glassmen 11. Blue Knights 12. Crossmen I think the last 3 spots of finals will be really competitive between: BK, Glassmen, Spirit, Crossmen, Colts, and Blue Stars. I think Bones will make the push and get back in, but I'd love if it wasn't at Spirit's expense.

I liked BD's the best.. also liked Cavies and Crossmen. In Div2.. Jersey Surf, Memphis Sound and BDB.

So much fun! I loved reading that. There were soo many more "tango couples" throughout the season, but most of them didn't last past the summer, of course. The sops were so hesitant at first - the staff always had us "pulling the passion out of them," but it ended up working - especially for the lucky trumpets in the article, right? :P Some of the weapons were partners with girls but regardless we all always had so much fun rehearsing the drum break, especially with all the different changes we added to the tango throughout the season. Thanks for putting the article up!